Things to do in Kumamoto Prefecture

This one-day tour to Takachiho Gorge, Kusasenri, and Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine was exceptionally well-planned, with a comfortable pace. We didn't feel tired from too many attractions, nor did we experience excessive waiting times. The trip perfectly blended natural scenery, cultural experiences, and relaxation. Our tour guide, Mr. Ohashi, provided explanations fluently in both Chinese and Korean. He clearly communicated meeting times, boarding and alighting procedures, and all important注意事项 (points of attention). He also shared the history, culture, and local stories behind each attraction, making the journey more than just sightseeing; it offered a deeper understanding of Kyushu's human and natural characteristics. Mr. Ohashi was friendly, meticulous, and managed time perfectly, allowing everyone to enjoy the trip with peace of mind. The first stop was the long-anticipated Takachiho Gorge. Famous for its spectacular columnar jointed gorge and the Manai Waterfall, it was even more breathtaking in person than in photos. The emerald green stream, towering rock walls on both sides, and the waterfall intertwined to create a natural masterpiece that was truly unforgettable. We experienced boating, which allowed us to admire the waterfall and gorge up close, an impressive highlight. After leaving Takachiho, we headed to Kusasenri, a renowned spot in the Aso region. The vast grasslands, combined with the majestic topography of Mount Aso, presented a natural landscape distinctly different from Takachiho. The weather was excellent that day, offering expansive views, and we could clearly appreciate the magnificent terrain around the crater. Mr. Ohashi explained the formation process of Mount Aso, its volcanic activity history, and the origin of Kusasenri. While enjoying the scenery, we also learned how this land evolved over a long period to become what it is today. Standing on the vast grassland, we felt exceptionally relaxed and deeply appreciated the charm of Kyushu's natural landscapes. Finally, we arrived at Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine. As we ascended the stone steps, moss-covered stone lanterns lined both sides, surrounded by dense forests, creating a mysterious and tranquil atmosphere. Mr. Ohashi introduced the shrine's history and origins, and also shared that it had been a filming location for movies and anime. Throughout the entire journey, Mr. Ohashi provided rich explanations and took care of every group member. He proactively reminded us of meeting times, recommended the best photo spots, suggested local specialties worth purchasing, and constantly checked if everyone was present, maintaining a relaxed yet efficient pace for the entire group. Even during long drives, he interspersed his commentary with insights into the history, culture, and daily life of the Kumamoto, Aso, and Takachiho regions, adding depth to the overall trip. Overall, this was a well-planned and high-quality one-day tour. The astonishing beauty of Takachiho's gorge, the vast and magnificent natural landscape of Kusasenri and Mount Aso, and the serene and mysterious forest atmosphere of Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine—these three attractions were distinct and non-repetitive, making the day's itinerary full of variety and surprises. I highly recommend this tour, and especially recommend our guide, Mr. Ohashi. His professional explanations, meticulous service, and extensive experience made this trip more than just admiring beautiful scenery; it provided a deeper understanding of Kyushu's history, culture, and nature. If I participate in another Kyushu day tour in the future, I would definitely hope to be led by Mr. Ohashi again, as I believe it would be another fulfilling and enjoyable journey.

#First time joining a group tour in Japan, and it was a fantastic experience! Our guide was incredibly dedicated, explaining Japanese culture throughout the trip and even clarifying the design intent behind Kumamon, which helped us remember things quickly. The guide was also very thoughtful, taking photos for us before we went boating, creating wonderful memories. We felt the day's itinerary was very fulfilling. Despite the hot weather, we were tired but happy, having visited most of Kumamoto's most iconic spots. Although time was limited, we were very satisfied! We hope to join a different tour route next time! The Aso cuisine recommended by the guide was truly delicious, though we couldn't take any home... Thank you!

Just got back from our trip and it was fantastic! Special shoutout to our guide "Summer" — she was super helpful, full of local tips, and made the whole day smooth and fun. We saw all the highlights and tried so much great food because of her recommendations. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sun Peng, our guide, deserves a perfect score! He was incredibly knowledgeable about Kumamoto throughout the trip, explaining the unique features of each attraction. To be honest, the scenic train wasn't really worth it; 2300 yen per person just to see some mountains. It wasn't as beautiful as the Ghibli train I rode in Hakone, Tokyo. It was a shame we couldn't go boating in Takachiho Gorge today. The scenery was nice, though slightly less impressive than Hokkaido's Blue Pond. My only criticism for the guide is regarding Takachiho Shrine. Going there is fine, but the path is genuinely difficult, so be prepared. However, on the way back to the parking lot, the guide told us to follow Google Maps to the third parking lot, which would have been a disaster! You absolutely must return to the slope and head straight for the third parking lot. When you go to the shrine, there's a fork in the road on that slope; pay attention to the sign for the third parking lot. It's only 300m that way. Do NOT follow the map! Our large group followed the map, but luckily, I had seen the sign on the way in, otherwise, we would have been completely lost trying to go back the same way! The cheese buns the guide recommended were pretty good, and the cream puffs were also nice, filled with ice cream. I didn't get to try the summer iced tea special. The horse meat sashimi and barbecue were decent, but don't have high expectations; it's not as good as grilled beef. Next, regarding the guide's recommendations at Kusasenri: I didn't buy the keychains, nor the horse oil cream, but I did get a fridge magnet. The green house was a bit hard to find, so you need to look carefully. The beef burger was sold out. The only thing I think is worth recommending, which the guide didn't, is the ice cream. If you go, remember to try the ice cream at the museum! Oh, and I should mention that the time at Kusasenri is quite short. If you climb to the observation deck and then want to eat or shop, it might be a bit rushed. Be prepared to just have ice cream! The fridge magnet is cute and worth buying for 800 yen! Finally, the Ten Ga Ten ramen was a bit unappetizing; the firm noodles were very salty, not as good as Ippudo in Osaka, haha. Ippudo is also salty (apparently ramen is meant to be paired with sake). As for the Osmanthus fried rice: it tasted like something any Chinese restaurant could make, so there's no need to specifically try it in Japan, haha! Overall, this group tour was actually pretty good, just a bit rushed. Of course, that's because there were many places to visit, and it wasn't a self-guided tour, haha! I would definitely join a group tour again if I have the chance!

I booked the "Kumamoto Castle & Mount Aso & Kusasenri & Aso Shrine & Kurokawa Onsen" day tour through Klook, and the overall experience was fantastic! Itinerary: Being able to visit so many attractions in one day was incredibly worthwhile, especially the magnificent scenery of Mount Aso and Kusasenri, which left a deep impression. The atmosphere at Kurokawa Onsen was also wonderful, making it a great place to relax. Convenience: For those who don't want to plan complicated transportation routes themselves, this type of day tour is perfect. Having dedicated transportation (including the volcano shuttle bus) saved a lot of travel time, allowing us to focus more on enjoying the beautiful sights. Summary: The guide/driver provided excellent service, and the pace of the tour was well-managed. This is a highly cost-effective option, recommended for travelers who want to experience the unique attractions of Kyushu in a short amount of time!

this tour was really good if you love animals and want to see them up close. I enjoyed the guide Zhu Zhu was so sweet and even she spoke little English she was so great and made sure I was able to follow along with rest of the group. She was so delightful and kindhearted, helped me order all the foods form all the shops and stores and offered me her umbrella and even the sweet apples. I highly recommend this route you get to see lots in one day!

We really like our guide Carson!! He asked about our preferred language when we first met, since my Chinese speaking skills are pretty bad lol so we were gonna talk to him in English but surprisingly he could speak Cantonese as well! during the intros he would speak in Chinese and English (we could understand both) and if we had any questions we could use Cantonese which was just perfect. I really liked the mountains and had time to do some shopping and take photos. I personally don’t really enjoy onsens but I was happy to see a chubby cat there and those unique buildings. Carson also reminded us about snakes because it was the first sunny day after days of raining. Carson was very helpful and full of information, we really liked him as our guide which was one of the main reasons we trusted this company and went on another trip.

I visited Kumamoto Castle for the second time! As expected of one of Japan's three most famous castles, it was large and magnificent! A few years ago, a major earthquake in Kumamoto destroyed parts of the castle, and restoration work is still ongoing, but from a tourist's perspective, there were no issues touring Kumamoto Castle! I highly recommend purchasing your admission tickets in advance through Klook! This is because at the entrance, there are separate lines for buying tickets and for those who pre-purchased tickets. If you show the staff your QR code, you can enter immediately, which significantly reduces your waiting time, making it a huge advantage!

This experience was wonderful, we were able to catch dolphins diving and the captain of the boat would drive around until we’d find dolphins. Great for wildlife photography and a new experience!